Lightning Strike At LaGuardia Airport Causes Widespread Flight Delays

QUEENS, NY — A runway at LaGuardia Airport was shut down after being struck by lightning Wednesday morning causing widespread delays for planes arriving at the airport, a spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told Patch.

Runway four was struck around 11:18 a.m. and was not reopened until 12:40 p.m. due to damage on the runway, the spokeswoman told Patch. The closure caused a backup for arriving flights and some arriving flights are still being delayed for 1-1/2 hours, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Due to the delayed arriving flights some departing flights at LaGuardia may also be delayed, according to the FAA. The FAA recommends passengers check with their airlines to confirm flight delays.

Photo by Thomas Lillis IV via Flickr/Creative Commons